@Trevor Gittes Taplin @Jeff Kobal @Alexander Kish @Kyrylo Bakumenko @Ericka Tamayo-Guevara @Camaira Walker

Welcome to the Harold Edward Cable Makerspace's guide for 3D Printing! 3D printing is a great resource for turning out quick prototypes, creating cool gifts, and bringing ideas to life. Whether you're a seasoned maker or just starting, our Makerspace offers you the tools and support you need to bring your projects to life.

It is highly recommended to take the 3D printing training that is offered at our space (Calendy Link) before using the 3D printers themselves. The trainings are only about 30 minutes long and familiarize students with the basics of PrusaSlicer, starting a print and general guidelines.

Before we get started, there are a few quick ground rules for using our 3D printers.

Quick Ground Rules

1. Our 3D printers cannot be used for commercial-scale production or be used as an “assembly line” for profit
2. Please design your models mindfully to minimize plastic waste (see a TA if your print is over 12 hours)
   1. Consider options to create quick, sustainable prototype prints before creating the final prototype (see “How to Create Sustainable Prints” section below)
3. Please follow all of our general guidelines for using 3D printers
   1. Use a “printer card” when starting a print!
   2. Use the correct printer for your project. (Please note that we have limited amounts of printers for coursework; Thayer students, please see the MSHOP to expedite coursework-related prints.)
   3. Please be mindful of the number of printers available, especially during peak use times. (See a TA if your project requires multiple printers)
   4. Make sure your print is tuned to all the right settings on PrusaSlicer before exporting to the SD card
   5. Watch the first layer — this is not an optional step and can seriously damage the extruder if “blobbing” occurs (email [email protected] for any printer issues)

When to (and not to) 3D Print

To use 3D printing effectively, there are certain scenarios to recognize when 3D printing is the best option and when another manufacturing method may be better.

When to 3D Print

When to NOT 3D Print

• Complex geometries

  • Designs that involve intricate shapes or structures are challenging to manufacture using a mill or lathe

  

• Customization

  • Testing different models/tolerances
  • Creating custom items tailored to specific needs
  • Low volume production

• Rapid prototyping

  • Quick iterations and prototypes to test designs before final production
  • Parts that are needed at a lower cost and aren't subjected to significant stress

• Mass production

  • Items that need to have a high demand and standardized designs (CNC machining/injection molding may be a more suitable option)

• Large-scale objects

  • 3D printing is a time-consuming option — CNC machining may be a better option for this

• High strength requirements

  • Parts that need to withstand abnormal heavy loads or require specific material properties may not be the best option to be 3D printed (see our filament options for specific properties)

• Tight tolerances/ fine details

  • Filament-based 3D printing is limited in its ability to create intricate details

Some Quick Examples of What Not to 3D Print

• Boxes
  • Way cheaper and less time-consuming to just laser-cut
  • Typically faster to just use subtractive manufacturing methods (laser cutting, CNC, etc)